discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce discriminatory (audio)
-ˈskrim-nə-
1
2
: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment
discriminatorily adverb

Examples of discriminatory in a Sentence

The law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices. a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Due to discriminatory housing laws such as redlining, many communities of color live in pre-existing high-flood-risk zones. Patricia McIlreavy, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Opponents argue that Proposition 2 is discriminatory because lower-income districts would get a bigger share of the money. Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 Brandon wrote: East Harlem is one of America’s prime examples of how past investment decisions and discriminatory housing practices crowded poor and minority residents together and then turned up the heat on them. Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024 The parents sought to send their children to Orthodox Jewish schools and argued that the state’s policy of barring funding for religious institutions was discriminatory. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discriminatory 

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discriminatory was in 1745

Dictionary Entries Near discriminatory

Cite this Entry

“Discriminatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discriminatory. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

discriminatory

adjective
dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce discriminatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
: showing discrimination : being unfair
discriminatory treatment

Legal Definition

discriminatory

adjective
dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce discriminatory (audio)
1
: applying discrimination in treatment
2
: having unlawful discrimination as an effect
discriminatorily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on discriminatory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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